Trends in hospital administrative costs: urban-rural disparities, barriers, and reduction strategies.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Administrative expenses represent a growing portion of hospital costs in the United States. However, the distribution of these costs remains underexamined. This study examines trends in administrative and general (A&G) spending among hospitals and evaluates the broader impact on expenses.

Methods

We conducted a sequential explanatory mixed methods study, analyzing Medicare cost report data from 2011 to 2022 for all US short-term acute care hospitals. Quantitative analysis focused on A&G salary expenses and total A&G costs as a percentage of overall hospital expenditures. Findings were supplemented with qualitative interviews with hospital executives to contextualize observed trends.

Results

While urban hospitals reported higher total A&G expenses, rural h

SUBMITTER: Handlon L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12359134 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature